Thursday began with leading the Women’s Fellowship class. I used the scripture from Proverbs 31:11-31 where it addresses a “worthy woman.” They were very encouraged and engaged in the discussions quite well. Then in the afternoon Bright and I traveled to the village just beside us for the community football tournament. The communities come together for football and other various activities during the Easter Holiday. The village that I am staying at tied in both of their games. It was a lot of fun and always great to be in the community and involved in peoples lives. The football games are played by the youth, but the youth in Ghana are from 20-30 years of age. Following the football games, we headed to another village in the other direction beyond Akplale. This “village” as I found out only had one house, so for us to find it was a little adventure. We just cut off the main road and began to walk and after some time they realized that things were not looking very good for the route that we were taking, so we decided to head in a different direction. We did make it there and it was literally in the middle of nowhere! The closest place was miles away. The riverside, where they get their water, was about a mile away. The family was very welcoming and it was interesting to see the remoteness of some families. I would easily become lonely from the sheer isolation. The day was a very beneficial day with teachings, fun, and adventure.
Friday morning Bright and I went to another village by bike. There were many people coming in from the city to spend the Easter with the families. The one thing that I noticed is that Easter is a time of celebration much like in the states, but they do a lot of drinking!!! By the time, we got there around ten in the morning a lot were already wasted! I was very shocked by this in the sense that even those who were going to church that afternoon were drunk. After the very interesting visit we left for home (I am not really sure where that is right now?). In the afternoon, we went to watch some more of the football games. More people started to come out to the games as they came in. The rest of the day was very relaxing and enjoyable as we made a few more visits to a neighboring village.
Saturday we walked to the village on the island. Here the Volta River surrounds them. We hunted for some ripe mangos, played with a pet monkey, and meet with some of the residence. I found out later that this is a modern day Sodom and Gomorra! They are involved in fornication, incest, alcohol, drugs, smoking, and prostitution! I did not get to spend much time with people for they were all going for the games, market, and fishing. After the visit, it was back to the field for more football.
Easter Sunday! It was interesting to spend my first Easter away from family and the traditions that go along with the Holiday, but it was all right. With some churches in Ghana, it is celebrated with marches, prayer services, plays, and other activities, but in the rural villages not so much. Not much was done in celebration of this day. Church went on at the same time, a sermon was preached, and the people went home. As far as the sermon, I thought it was good. What I prepared for turned out better then I had thought. I have noticed that once you start preaching things start roll’n! I have found myself just having the words to say and the direction to go. All of this is truly because of the Holy Spirit. I am not even qualified to profess the glories of Christ, but through Him, I, a vessel of His, become a means of soul preach’n for some soul reach’n. With a group photo of the church and Ernest’s family, I said my good-byes on this portion of my trip and I traveled back to Tema. I will be here for two days to pack for my nine-week trip throughout the north.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Day 89 Week 13
Monday morning I went and spoke to a couple primary schools. I have done this many times since I have been in Ghana, but today I became frustrated with myself, with the circumstances, and I almost felt as though I was speaking a false hope. I spoke to the students and give a little talk to them about never forgetting their dreams, staying in school, and working hard. They always are very exuberant to have me come and speak to them, so I do it with much elation! After speaking to them, I allow for some questions, and the one thing that I have noticed is that they do not ask questions at all! I am not sure if the teachers do not encourage them to ask questions or they just do not see a need. It will remain a mystery to me. With this, the teachers, normally become the ones to ask the questions. I was asked some difficult questions today and my response in their eyes seemed far fetch for them to accept. One question was “what do we do if we have the desire to learn and advance, but have no support financially?” I told them that there are scholarships for those who study hard and are among the best, so study hard. I also told them that they could do work in the evenings and save up little by little to go to school. As I was telling them this, I thought about the realities of the difficult circumstance that they were in and for me to tell them this as an outsider, not fully relating to them; well my heart sank and went out to them. In addition to that question I told them that it is a generational cycle that needs to be broken and it will take generation that is determined to arise from the current circumstance to take the nation to the next point. The other question that sparked a minor debate was “What is one to do if they are orphaned with no parents?” To this, I told them that the families are very big and that I have been told that most families will take in most relatives, but if this is not the case, then I would challenge the community to take in the child. With this said I was told that that is not practical! They said that only 2% would believe in that, so I said that that should not be the case and no matter if, that is how things are they should change. I told them that the youth are the future of the country, so if you abandon the youth you are setting your future of the country to remain the same or to backslide. I really felt that I was talking to them as someone who has no idea that their lives are really like and cannot relate to them at all. I really wonder if the motivation and desire to change is there, or if excuses cloud the path of movement. Overall, it was a good meeting with the schools, but some of these circumstantial issues are starting to weigh on my heart! The afternoon Bright, Pastor Ernest’s eldest son, and I went to Tovue to make visitations. While there we talked to members of the church as well as some who were not apart of a church. Our time spent was very nice and the people were very welcoming! On our way back, we stopped by a mission were they provides free vocational training to women. It seems to be a very beneficial ministry, but being in a rural area the people are many, but many miles away. At night, we received notice that there was a woman who could not walk and so we took the motorcycle to see her. After taking her blood pressure and temperature, we gave her some malaria medication.
Tuesday I spoke to a few more schools in the morning. They were once again very welcoming and thankful for the message of encouragement given. In the afternoon Bright and I went to the village of Tuve to make visitations to the residence. I find that this part of ministry is where I enjoy and feel the most comfortable. I t does make it a little more interesting when you do not know the people and you are speaking through a translator, but even with this I feel a better connection with people then behind the pulpit. I just connect better with people one on one for I can be more personal. We spoke to a couple of people who went through a prayer of accepting Christ into their lives and are in the process of making plans for being baptized. After they say the prayer then we talk to them about being baptized. We even ask when the best time will be, but for some they are nervous about it, so some times you have to go back for a couple of visits and just talk them through it more. The walk was very enjoyable to and through the village. What made the day finish even better was the walk next to God’s beautiful artwork in the sky as the sunset!
Wednesday morning Bright and I traveled by bike, a couple miles, to a school and led the morning devotions. This was the first school in all my meetings that actually asked questions. Some of them were very good and interesting. They asked about the ration of Christians to unbelievers, how long I have been preaching, what the schools are like in America. While in the village of Agbeve, we visited the family members of Pastor Ernest’s wife. This community is also located next to a river and with the coolness of the breeze mixed with the scenery and this place a very peaceful. In the afternoon Bright and I went to the village of Adzeke. Here we continued with the visitations and meeting of the church members. We had the privilege of having a couple more women accept Christ and one even made the commitment to come to church on Sunday (Easter Sunday) and will be baptize after the service. It was a very remunerating day with the talk at the school and the meeting with the community members!
Tuesday I spoke to a few more schools in the morning. They were once again very welcoming and thankful for the message of encouragement given. In the afternoon Bright and I went to the village of Tuve to make visitations to the residence. I find that this part of ministry is where I enjoy and feel the most comfortable. I t does make it a little more interesting when you do not know the people and you are speaking through a translator, but even with this I feel a better connection with people then behind the pulpit. I just connect better with people one on one for I can be more personal. We spoke to a couple of people who went through a prayer of accepting Christ into their lives and are in the process of making plans for being baptized. After they say the prayer then we talk to them about being baptized. We even ask when the best time will be, but for some they are nervous about it, so some times you have to go back for a couple of visits and just talk them through it more. The walk was very enjoyable to and through the village. What made the day finish even better was the walk next to God’s beautiful artwork in the sky as the sunset!
Wednesday morning Bright and I traveled by bike, a couple miles, to a school and led the morning devotions. This was the first school in all my meetings that actually asked questions. Some of them were very good and interesting. They asked about the ration of Christians to unbelievers, how long I have been preaching, what the schools are like in America. While in the village of Agbeve, we visited the family members of Pastor Ernest’s wife. This community is also located next to a river and with the coolness of the breeze mixed with the scenery and this place a very peaceful. In the afternoon Bright and I went to the village of Adzeke. Here we continued with the visitations and meeting of the church members. We had the privilege of having a couple more women accept Christ and one even made the commitment to come to church on Sunday (Easter Sunday) and will be baptize after the service. It was a very remunerating day with the talk at the school and the meeting with the community members!
Day 86 Week 13
Thursday was a matter of doing a little shopping for supplies, packing, and office work. I completed the letter and sent it to Enoch, in which he will be adding to the April monthly donor article. We discussed the remaining schedule for my stay in Ghana, for this will be the last time I see Enoch until I return form the north in June! Enoch and his wife Lydia are leaving Sunday for the states for two weeks, where Lydia will undergo some testing to try to identify her sickness. With this in mind, I will head to the north before they return.
Friday I headed to Akplale, which is Enoch’s home village. I will stay until April 12, so that will give me just over a week. I also will be spending/preaching my first Easter Sunday sermon in Ghana. We arrived in the afternoon where I unpacked and mingled among the community for the remainder of the day.
Saturday I went to meet the headmaster of the school in which I will be speaking to on Monday to ask for permission to address the school, but upon arriving the teachers and headmaster were not there. With this, we decided to go to a village near a beautiful river. The breeze was amazing and the shading from the large trees provided a very peaceful and relaxing place. We spent an hour or so talking to some of the anglers and residence. While doing so you cannot just talk you have to enjoy some fresh coconut milk and meat! I really enjoyed this village and the scenery! I could stay at this place for some time. After or visit we returned to Akplale for lunch. In the afternoon, I began to work on my sermon. I was focusing on unity while working with the Palm Sunday remembrance. I found this to become difficult for some reason. I finally came with the idea of paralleling the battle of the Alamo with the ministry of Christ and the disciples. As hard as it may seem it actually works well.
Today is Palm Sunday and as I woke, I had a feeling come over me as I just sat and thought about Christ riding in on a donkey with everyone worshiping Him. It seemed easier to imagine this for palm trees and dusty roads surround me. Then I also remembered that at the same time in only a few days these same people abandoned Him and then crucified Him. For some reason today, it really sat deep in my stomach the sacrificial love that Christ has for me! How amazing is he! After this wonderful wake up note, church began. I was very impressed for the worship dancing stepped up even more by dancing out of the church and all around the perimeter! It really became morning aerobics! Then it came time for the sermon. I was surprised that only a couple people realized that it was even Palm Sunday! I guess it is surprisingly not looked upon as much at least at this church. After delivering the sermon, I sat down having no idea if this sermon made any movement into the hearts of the listeners. It seemed as though this day was no different from any other day and some Yavu (white man in Ewe) gave a mediocre sermon at best. You cannot hit a homerun every Sunday! The rest of the day was really good. Bright, Pastor Ernest’s son and nephew of Enoch, and I went for a canoe ride. While out we watched as the anglers were setting traps for lobster (shrimp). It was truly another beautiful setting and a great reminder of how amazing our Creator is! Then from enjoying God’s creation, we went to enjoy the company of God’s people. We traveled around to spend some time saying hello to the members of the community of Akplale and surrounding villages as well. I have taken splendor of the simplicity of this life that has been given to us. I find myself becoming lost to often in the daily tasks that cloud our eyes to the majestic aroma of Christ in the ordinary places. I am working on living in the now, for tomorrow will come and if I am not careful, I will miss everything that is around me. Christ truly will take care of tomorrow, so I must live for Him now!
Friday I headed to Akplale, which is Enoch’s home village. I will stay until April 12, so that will give me just over a week. I also will be spending/preaching my first Easter Sunday sermon in Ghana. We arrived in the afternoon where I unpacked and mingled among the community for the remainder of the day.
Saturday I went to meet the headmaster of the school in which I will be speaking to on Monday to ask for permission to address the school, but upon arriving the teachers and headmaster were not there. With this, we decided to go to a village near a beautiful river. The breeze was amazing and the shading from the large trees provided a very peaceful and relaxing place. We spent an hour or so talking to some of the anglers and residence. While doing so you cannot just talk you have to enjoy some fresh coconut milk and meat! I really enjoyed this village and the scenery! I could stay at this place for some time. After or visit we returned to Akplale for lunch. In the afternoon, I began to work on my sermon. I was focusing on unity while working with the Palm Sunday remembrance. I found this to become difficult for some reason. I finally came with the idea of paralleling the battle of the Alamo with the ministry of Christ and the disciples. As hard as it may seem it actually works well.
Today is Palm Sunday and as I woke, I had a feeling come over me as I just sat and thought about Christ riding in on a donkey with everyone worshiping Him. It seemed easier to imagine this for palm trees and dusty roads surround me. Then I also remembered that at the same time in only a few days these same people abandoned Him and then crucified Him. For some reason today, it really sat deep in my stomach the sacrificial love that Christ has for me! How amazing is he! After this wonderful wake up note, church began. I was very impressed for the worship dancing stepped up even more by dancing out of the church and all around the perimeter! It really became morning aerobics! Then it came time for the sermon. I was surprised that only a couple people realized that it was even Palm Sunday! I guess it is surprisingly not looked upon as much at least at this church. After delivering the sermon, I sat down having no idea if this sermon made any movement into the hearts of the listeners. It seemed as though this day was no different from any other day and some Yavu (white man in Ewe) gave a mediocre sermon at best. You cannot hit a homerun every Sunday! The rest of the day was really good. Bright, Pastor Ernest’s son and nephew of Enoch, and I went for a canoe ride. While out we watched as the anglers were setting traps for lobster (shrimp). It was truly another beautiful setting and a great reminder of how amazing our Creator is! Then from enjoying God’s creation, we went to enjoy the company of God’s people. We traveled around to spend some time saying hello to the members of the community of Akplale and surrounding villages as well. I have taken splendor of the simplicity of this life that has been given to us. I find myself becoming lost to often in the daily tasks that cloud our eyes to the majestic aroma of Christ in the ordinary places. I am working on living in the now, for tomorrow will come and if I am not careful, I will miss everything that is around me. Christ truly will take care of tomorrow, so I must live for Him now!
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